Graduate Diploma Subject Summary
Click on the links for subject information:
: : : : Foundation Subjects : : : :
- 49460 Local Government Principles and Practices 1
- 49461 Local Government Principles and Practices 2
: : : : Elective Subjects : : : :
- 49277 Corporate Planning and Management in Local Government
- 49278 Sustainability and the Local Environment
- 49279 Local Government Leadership - Personal and Professional Skills
: : : : Managing Local Enterprise : : : :
- 49454 Managing Local Enterprise (Capstone)
FOUNDATION SUBJECTS
49460 Local Government Principles and Practices 1
6 credit points , Intensive workshop (5 days x 7 hours), Subject Co-ordinator: Robert Mellor.
Overview
This subject develops the participants' understanding of the current issues facing managers in the local government environment and introduces them to the conceptual and theoretical background of management theories.
Aims
To enable participants to:
- understand and identify the current issues faced in the local government environment and relate this knowledge to their own workplace
- develop an understanding of the theoretical background of management and organisational principles
- gather and critically analyse information from a wide range of sources and relate it to their own work and further learning
Objectives
On completion of this subject, participants should be able to:
- identify the political and legislative framework in which local government operates
- identify and discuss the current issues facing local government
- cidentify the changes that have occurred in their own workplace and explain the reasons for those changes
- analyse and describe the key principles contained in a variety of theories on management and leadership and relate those to their own performance
- develop and describe a management planning process that meets the needs of their workplace
- identify the key principles contained within a number of decision-making models
- identify and describe the necessary links between organisational planning and human resource planning
- describe the key principles of current Quality Systems (TQM, QA etc)
- analyse their own management style
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Topics Covered
- Overview of Management Issues in Local Government: constitutional and legislative framework, recent legislative changes, pressures for reform, powers and duties, changing role and public perception, public accountability, ethics, performance management and objectives, strategies and directions, environmental and social issues, governance and public judgement
- Leadership, Management and Organisations: the "classics" (Plato, Machiavelli, Drucker etc), principles of rationalism and scepticism, alternative perspectives, case studies, organisational and leadership styles, cultural and historical influences
- Managing Work: the management planning process, decision-making models, strategic planning, the policy process, case study, management and business plans, operational action
- Managing People: motivation and contribution, organisational culture, education and training, teams and group behaviour, EEO, access and equity, performance and rewards systems
- Quality and Management: continuous improvement, history and background of TQM, QA processes, benchmarking and best practice, case studies
- Looking at Yourself as a Manager: management styles, personal preferences, personal versus professional requirements, management psychology, ethics, personal analysis
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49461 Local Government Principles and Practices 2
6 credit points, Intensive workshop (5 days x 7 hours), Subject Coordinator: Robert Mellor
Overview
This subject develops the participants' skills in areas relevant to managers in the local government environment. It builds on the conceptual frameworks presented in Local Government Principles and Practices 1 and develops skills necessary to put the theory into practice in the workplace.
Aims
To enable participants to:
- understand and identify the skills and competencies required to effectively manage in the current local government environment
- translate their understanding of conceptual principles and theory into action in their workplace
- develop and communicate suggestions for positive change in their own progress as managers and that of their organisation
Objectives
On completion of this subject, participants should be able to:
- demonstrate the written and verbal communication skills necessary for effective management in their workplace
- identify the internal and external customers serviced by their workplace -and their needs
- understand the principles of workplace planning, and identify methods of improving current work practices
- demonstrate a positive contribution to the processes of workplace change in their organisation
- identify and articulate a vision for future directions for themselves as managers and also that of their work unit
- participate in discussions/presentations on critical issues facing local government
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Topics Covered
- Communication skills: persuasive communication, interpersonal skills, plain English writing, presentation skills
- Management and Work Practices: time management, meeting procedures, personal planning
- Customer Service: identification of internal and external customers, consultation and communication, public judgement and service levels, PR techniques and marketing, negotiating the political environment
- Financial Management: Local Government Act requirements, role of the auditor, NCP and the Trade Practices Act, AAS27, program budgeting, the budget process, reporting
- Information Technology and Management: types of information required, systems for collecting and managing information, case studies, records management
- Staff Performance and Monitoring: performance management systems, use of competencies, discipline and counselling
- Managing for Change: the reform agenda, personal and organisational responses, communication techniques, action plans
- Presentation Skills: the need for effective presentation of information
- Management and the Future: conclusions drawn, future developments, need for future learning and education
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ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
49277 Corporate Planning and Management in Local Government
6 credit points, 5 day course
This subject is focused on achieving better outcomes through more effective strategic and corporate planning in local government. Its foundation concept is that councils need to match broadly based, outward-looking strategic planning for the whole of the local community and environment, with more rigorous and outcomes-focused corporate planning for their own operations. The program highlights requirements and opportunities to integrate planning processes, strengthen links to budget and financial systems, enhance decision-making for implementation, and improve performance management.
49278 Sustainability and the Local Environment
6 credit points, 5 day course
This subject is focused on achieving better community outcomes through more effective integration of the principles and practices of ESD (Ecologically Sustainable Development) into the day-to-day management of a council. This is a highly practical program, strongly focused on how to achieve better results.
The course covers a wide range of processes and techniques that will improve local government's performance in promoting sustainability and maximising quality environmental outcomes. This is particularly important at a time when both governments and communities have increasing concerns about these issues and higher expectations of local government's performance.
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49279 Local Government Leadership - Personal and Professional Skills
6 credit points, 5 day course
In today's local government environment we need our leaders to have more than just intellectual ability and technical know-how. Leaders should also exhibit what is known as emotional intelligence-this is their ability to manage their emotions and those of others, their skill in inspiring performance in others and their ability to lead change, communicate effectively, and build and sustain work relationships.
This subject develops the participants' understanding of the leadership issues facing managers in the local government environment. It then focuses on some core leadership capabilities and guides participants through the development of their personal action plan to enhance their leadership skills.
49454 Managing Local Enterprise
6 credit points
This subject forms the capstone of the course.
Students prepare a strategic management plan for dealing with a particular local government development issue (such as unemployment or environmental degradation) or a specific area of council activities (such as a work unit or business unit). The emphasis is on addressing issues from the council's external environment.
